Automatic gathering machine



E; C. REEDER AUTOMATIC GATHERING MACHINE Sept. 12, 1939.

Filed se t. 29, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l Edward Clqylom WM,%

Sept. 12, 1939. E. c. REEDER AUTbMATIC GATHERING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1938 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Edouard Clay/ion Eeeder Sept. 12, 1939 u E E DQ 2,172,519

AUTOMATIC GATHERING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet s jvwcm/bom Edward C/agfon Feeder.

Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFECE 16 Claims.

The present invention relates to a sheet gathering machine.

An object of the invention is the provision of an automatic gathering machine having a plurality of movable stock retaining receptacles adapted to receive sheets and move them past a sheet transferring member which consecutively transfers the sheets from each receptacle to a common delivery receptacle.

Another object is to provide a machine of this character in which the sheet receiving receptacles are provided with movable bottoms adapted to be gradually raised to compensate for depletion of the sheets which are transferred to the delivery receptacle.

A further object is the provision of means associated with the sheet transfer member for rendering the machine inoperative upon failure of the member to transfer a sheet. More specifically this means comprises a light sensitive cell and a source of light associated with the transfer memher and movable into operative position with respect to each other as a sheet is being transferred from one of the sheet retaining receptacles to the delivery receptacle.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the machine;

Figure 3 is a detail of the light sensitive cell and its supporting arm;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a detail partly in section of the false bottom operating mechanism shown in Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral l0 designates generally a rotary table which supports a plurality of sheet receiving and retaining stock boxes ll. these boxes being adapted to be consecutively moved to a position in alignment with a delivery box l2. As each of the stock boxes ll moves into its operative aligned position with respect to the delivery box l2, an oscillatory suction arm I3 is adapted to pick up the top sheet from the stock box and carry it rearwardly and deposit it in the delivery box l2. The rotation of the table is timed and synchronized with the oscillation of the suction arm so that the arm always moves forwardly and picks up a sheet as each stock box is brought into operation in aligned position with the delivery box.

The power means for rotating the stock boxes and oscillating the suction arm comprises an electric motor l4, though any other desired source of power may be utilized. This motor is preferably mounted on a floor supported base I5 and is directly connected to a main operating shaft 16 through a belt I? and fly wheel I8 carried by said shaft. The shaft I6 is journaled in a frame 59 which also supports the suction arm i3 and the delivery box ii. The end of the shaft it which carries the fly wheel l8 projects through one side of the frame so that the fly wheel is mounted exteriorly of the frame. In like manner, the other end of the shaft it projects through the other side of the frame l9 (see Figure 1) and supports a second fly wheel 2|]. This second fly wheel is operatively connected to a third fly wheel by means of a belt 22. Fly wheel 2i is rigidly connected to a stub: shaft 23 journaled in a supporting bracket 24. A small bevel gear 25 is secured to the inner end of the stub shaft 23 and this meshes with a larger bevel gear 26 which is connected to the lower end of an inner hollow shaft 21 (see Figure 2). The shaft 21 extends vertically and is connected at its upper end to a plate 28 forming a part of the table H]. At spaced points around the plate 28 are located outwardly extending brackets 29, each of which directly supports one of the stock boxes H.

In the construction as thus far described, operation of the motor I l will, through the several fly wheels and belts, rotate the stub shaft 24 and through the bevel gears 25 and 26, rotate the inner shaft 21, which in turn will rotate the table ii] and the stock boxes ll.

Assuming that each stock box II is initially filled with a stack of sheets 39, it will be apparent that a stack will be gradually depleted by reason of the suction arm l3 removing a sheet from each box during each rotation of the table it. Unless some means is provided to take care of this exigency it would be necessary for the suction arm to dip or travel further into each box as the lower end of the stack is reached. This would interfere with the efiicient operation of the machine and I therefore provide means to compensate for the gradual depletion of the stacks of sheets. Each stock box H is provided with adjustable side walls 3|, an adjustable inner end wall 32 and a rigid, non-adjustable outer end wall 33. The box is furthermore provided with a stationary base or bottom 34 and a movable false bottom 35 which is adapted to be gradually raised to compensate for the depletion of the stack of sheets.

The means for raising the false bottom 35 of each stock box comprises a rotary cam 36 mounted on a stub shaft 3? supported by and depending from its respective bracket 29. The cam is provided with a cam track 98 having a gradually inclined portion terminating in an abruptly declining portion 39. The false bottom is connected to a post 43, the lower end of which carries a laterally positioned roller 4i engageable with the cam track. Rotation of the cam, which is adapted to be very slow, will gradually raise the roller, and with it the false bottom 35, up the cam track and thereby compensate for the depletion of the stack of sheets 36 in each box. Thus, the topmost sheet will always be at substantially the same level as it reaches the point where the suction arm I3 moves into operative position to pick up the sheet and transfer it to the delivery box I2. The construction of each cam is such that the roller II will gradually ap proach and drop down the abruptly inclined portion 39 when the stack is depleted. The operator whose duty it is to attend to the stock boxes, should then replenish the empty box by inserting a fresh stack of sheets therein before this box again approaches the suction arm. The lower portion of each arm 36 is provided with a hub 2 which is connected to the hub 46 of a sprocket wheel or gear 44. In this connection, the hubs may be integral and connected in any desired manner whereby rotation of the sprocket gear will impart like rotation to the cam 36.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be observed that the sprocket gears 44 are supported at different vertical positions with respect to each other. In like manner, a plurality of sprocket gears 45 are vertically supported in spaced relation upon an outer sleeve or shaft 46 which surrounds the inner shaft 27. Each sprocket gear 45 is connected to its corresponding gear 44 through a sprocket chain 41. The lower end of the sleeve or outer shaft 46 is connected to a relatively large bevel gear 48 which meshes with a large bevel gear 49 fixed to the stub shaft 23. Thus, as the shaft 23 is rotated to operate the bevel gears 25 and 26 for rotation of the table I9, the bevel gears 48 and 49 are also operated. This in turn rotates the sleeve 46 and sprocket gears 44, 45, thus imparting rotation to the various cams 36. It is to be understood that the ratio between the bevel and sprocket gears is such as to effect a very slight or slow rotation of the earns 36, whereby the false bottoms 35 are raised to compensate for the depletion of the stack of sheets 36. It is to be further understood that the ratio between the several gears may be changed as desired to accommodate stacks of varying sizes.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be observed that the table I9, boxes I I and the rest of the operating mechanism therefor are adequately supported from a base 50 composed of a plurality of legs I. These legs support a plate 52 which in turn supports an outer flanged sleeve 53 enclosing the shafts 27 and 46. The upper end of the sleeve 53 is designed to support the sprocket gears 45 and in order to facilitate the rotation of the gears and to reduce friction, a ball bearing 54 is provided. The shaft 46 is extended at its upper end to form a sleeve 55 positioned between the topmost sprocket gear 45 and the plate 28 as a further means of support. The base 50 is also provided with a supporting plate 56 which is positioned below and supports the bevel gear 48. It is to be understood that the base 59 and other supporting elements are merely representative and that any other suitable means for supporting the table, boxes and gearing may be utilized, if desired.

The means for adjusting the side and end walls 3I and 32 of each stock box I I comprises, in each instance, a slotted plate 51 which is received within a recessed portion of the stationary bottom 34 of the box and is secured in adjusted relation with respect to the bottom by means of suitable fastening elements 58 passing through the slots 59 in the plate. In like manner, each side and end wall is adjustably connected to its respective plate 51 by means of fastening elements 69. Thus by adjusting the fastening means 58 and 60, each plate 51 may be adjusted with respect to its stationary bottom 34 and its respective wall may in turn be adjusted on the plate. In this manner the stock boxes are adapted to accommodate sheets of various sizes.

With respect to the operating mechanism for the suction arm I3, it will be observed that the main operating shaft I5 carries a cam (H at a point adjacent the fly wheel 26. This cam is engageable with a roller 62 mounted on the lower end of a suction arm supporting bar or rod 63. The lower end of the supporting bar 63 is pivoted at 64 in the frame I9 and is provided with upper and lower brackets 65 which secure the suction arm thereto. If desired, these brackets may permit adjustment of the suction arm with respect to the rod 63 so that the path of the upper end of the arm may be changed, as desired.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, it will be observed that the suction arm comprises a longitudinally extending section 66 and a laterally extending section 61 provided with spaced branches 68, to each of which is secured a suction cup 69. These cups are so positioned on the section 61 that they will overlie and come in contact with the top sheet of each stack 36 as the stock boxes come into alignment with the frame I9 and delivery box I2. The entire suction arm I3 is hollow and connects through suitable flexible tubing 19 with the upper end of an air pump II. The shaft I9, intermediate its ends, is provided with a crank I2 which is operatively connected with the pump piston by a connecting rod I3 whereby rotation of the shaft I6 effects operation of the pump II. Any wellknown means (not shown) may be provided to assure that the pump II effects a suction action through the suction cups 69 and a cut off of the suction at the correct time; that is, to effect suction through the cups 69 when the suction arm is over one of the boxes II in a position to pick up a sheet, and maintain the suction until the arm is in a position over the delivery box I2, at which time the suction is broken and the sheet is deposited in the box I2. A coil spring I4 is connected to the bar 63 and urges the roller 62 into engagement with the cam 6|, whereby the roller will always be in contact with and ride on the cam.

In addition to effecting a suction action through the suction cups 69, the pump is utilized to produce a blast of air upon each stack of sheets 30 as its respective box arrives at its position in front of the frame I9. This means comprises a pipe line I5 leading from the lower end of the pump II and passing up through the shaft 21 (see Figure 2). This pipe line is connected, through a suitable stuifing box 16, to a plurality of branch pipes 11. Each branch 11 extends outwardly from the plate 28 and is supported by one of the brackets 29. The extreme outer portion of each branch Tl terminates in a laterally extending section 18 which is connected to the stationary outer end wall 33 of a stock box N. This extension is provided with a plurality of nozzles 19 which are adapted to direct a. blast of air into the outer edge of the stack 38 when the box is opposite the frame l9.

The arrangement is such that the pump produces a blast of air through the nozzles 19 at the exact time that the suction arm I3 is in the process of picking up the top sheet of the stack. The action of the blast will produce a momentary separation of the top sheet from the rest of the stack and thus facilitate removal of the top sheet by the suction arm. Any suitable check means (not shown) may be provided to assure that the pump produces a blast of air through the nozzles 19 at the desired time. In order to prevent the blast of air from the nozzle 19 from prematurely lifting the top sheet entirely from the stack 38, I provide a pair of fingers for each stock box These fingers are adjustably secured to the inner end wall 32 by fastening elements 88' and are adapted to contact the top sheet and prevent it from being blown out of the box before the suction arm has had an opportunity to engage it and remove it from the box.

In the operation of the machine, it is, of course, essential that the sheets be consecutively taken from each box [I as it approaches the frame l9 and that the sheets be consecutively stacked, one upon the other, in the delivery box l2. It is to be understood that any desired number of boxes may be utilized, depending upon the type of work to be done, but assuming that a four sheet pamphlet is to be made up, it is evident that the sheets must be delivered to the box |2' in correct sequence; otherwise the sheets would not be correctly positioned to form the pamphlets. The present invention is therefore designed to assure that the sheets be correctly stacked in the delivery box I2 and. that, if for any reason the suction arm fails to pick up a sheet, the machine will be instantly shut down before any additional sheets can be delivered to the box I2.

The means for shutting down the machine upon failure of the suction arm to remove a sheet from one of the boxes ll, comprises a mechanism incorporating a light sensitive cell. and a source of light associated with the cell. While either of these elements may be associated with the suction arm |3, I have specifically shown the source of light 8| as being mounted on the laterally extending section 5'! of the suction arm. This 'source of light, which may be an electric bulb, is

centrally mounted on the section 51 and swings or oscillates back and forth with the suction arm as it picks up a sheet from one of the boxes H and deposits it in the delivery box l2. The light .sensitive cell 82 (see Figures 1 and 3) is mounted on'a horizontal portion 83 of an arm 84 which is slidably mounted in a bracket 85 carried by the frame |9. The lower end of the arm 84 is provided with a collar 86 which surrounds and is rigidly connected to a laterally extending post 81. One end of this post is slidably mounted in an opening 88 formed in the forward portion of the frame IS. The other end of the post is urged into contact with the peripheral portions of a cam plate 89 by means of a coil spring 9|] surrounding the post. The cam plate 88 is fixed to an auxiliary shaft 9| journaled in the frame l9. A gear wheel 92 is also fixed to this shaft and meshes with a pinion 93 carried bythe main operating shaft l6.

As will be observed, the cam wheel 89 is provided with a curved portion 94 projecting out of the plane of the rest of the cam wheel. Thus, upon operation. of themachine, the cam wheel 89 will be rotated on the shaft 9| and as the curved projecting portion 94 comes into contact with the post 81, the latter will be moved laterally against the tension of the spring 9|]. This action will, in turn, move the arm 84 and thereby slide the horizontal portion 83 in the bracket 85 laterally of the frame |9. Since the light sensitive cell 82 is connected to the horizontal portion 83, this cell will be moved into and out of operative position with respect to the light bulb 8|. The current to this bulb passes through the electric wiring 95, while the current to the cell 82 is through the wiring 85. The circuits 95 and 96 are connected to any suitable source of supply 97 which also supplies current to the motor M. The cell 82 is connected, through the wiring 96, to a resistance box 98 which, when the cell is energized or rendered operative by the application of light from the bulb 8|, effects operation of a switch 99, which will open the current to the motor I4 and thus close down the machine. Since the use of the photo-electric or light sensitive cell is well known, the resistance box 98, the switch 99, and the connections to the cell and source of light are merely disclosed diagrammatically and not in detail, since the present invention relates to the application of these elements to a sheet gathering machine to effect a closing down of the machine upon failure of the machine to correctly transfer a sheet.

As will be observed, the light 8| is provided with a shield I08 in order that the rays from the bulb the suction arm is moved rearwardly after it picks up a sheet from the stack 30. The rotation of the cam andoscillation of the suction arm are synchronized so that the cam will move the cell 82 out of alignment with the bulb 8| as the suction arm is being moved forwardly into a por sition' to pick up a sheet. During the normal operation of the machine the sheet which is picked up by the suction arm, will constitute a shield between the bulb 8| and the cell 82 and thus prevent the cell from being energized by the T rays of the light bulb as the suction arm and bulb are moved rearwardly with the sheet past the cell. However, if for any reason the suction arm does not function to pick up and carry a sheet rearwardly to the box 2, the rays from I the bulb 8| will energize the light sensitive cell 82 and through the resistance box 89 effect an opening of the switch 99. This will close down the machine before the suction arm has had an opportunity to return and pick up a sheet fro-m the next succeeding box.

The delivery box |2 is provided with a movable base or bottom ||l| which is adapted to be lowered to compensate for the pile of sheets as they are delivered from the stock boxes. This bottom is provided with four outwardly projecting arms I 82, which pass through vertically extending slots I83 formed in supporting posts 04 carried by and forming a part of the frame structure l9. A coil spring I05 is mounted in each post below its respective arm I02 and is adapted to support the bottom IOI of the box. The strength of the springs is such that they will be gradually compressed as the delivered sheets pile up on the bottom of the box. As the delivered sheets are stacked .on the bottom II, the weight of the sheets will gradually compress the springs and thus move the bottom I M downwardly in the posts I04 so that each sheet, as it is deposited on the bottom, will always be in substantially the same horizontal plane with respect to the suction arm. If desired, the bottom Hill of the box may be operatively connected to a pair of weights I06 through suitable ropes I01 and pulleys I08. These weights will assist the springs I05 in returning the bottom IOI to the top of the post when the pile of delivered sheets has been removed. It is to be understood, however, that the use of the weights is not entirely necessary, since the springs I05 may be so formed as to adequately support the bottom IOI and be compressed uniformly as the pile of delivered sheets increases in weight.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, there is disclosed a modification of the invention involving changes in construction of the means for raising the false bottoms of the stock boxes as well as the means for actuating the rotary table carrying said boxes. In this form, the inner shaft I09 corresponding to the shaft 21 is journalled in a floor supported base I I0 and is provided with a bevel gear III fixed to its lower end. This gear meshes with a bevel gear I I2 keyed to a horizontal stub shaft I I3 which is journalled in a bracket H4. The outer end of the stub shaft H3 carries a gear H5 which meshes with a gear H6 fixed to an upper horizontal stub shaft H1, also journalled in the bracket H4 directly above the shaft H3. Power is derived through the pulley or wheel I I8 fixed to the outer end of the shaft H1. .Since the source of power for rotating the pulley H8 is the same as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a description of the same will not be repeated. In this connection, the suction arm operating means, delivery box, and electric eye structures are similar to that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and the numerals referring to these elements in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are therefore applied to like parts in Figure 4.

A rotatable table H9 is supported on the upper end-of the shaft I09 and is rotated thereby through the gearing I I I, I I5 and pulley I I3. The inner end of the upper stub shaft H1 carries a bevel gear I20, which meshes with a complementary bevel gear I2I fixed to the lower end of a tubular shaft I22 surrounding the shaft I09. This shaft is journalled in and passes through a circular supporting plate I23. At an intermediate point between the plate I23 and the table H9, the sleeve I22 has fixed thereto a sprocket gear I24, which is adapted to transmit power to means for raising the false bottoms I25 of the stop boxes I26.

- free end of this tongue engages and normally rides upwardly in the'track I3I formed by a rotatable screw I 32. This screw is freely rotatable upon a stub shaft I33 depending from and secured to the underside of the main box bottom I21 which in turn is supported upon an arm I34 of the table H9.

As shown in Figure 4, each screw I is fixed to a sprocket wheel I35 and is rotatable therewith. As distinguished from the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2 wherein separate sprocket wheels and chains are provided for each stock box, this modified structure provides a single sprocket chain I36 which meshes with each of the four sprocket wheels I 35 and also with the sprocket gear I24 fixed to the outer sleeve I22.

With this structure it will be apparent that as the sleeve I22 is rotated, rotation of the sprocket gear I24 will transmit movement to the sprocket chain I36 and in turn impart rotation to each of the wheels I35. Since each screw I32 is fixed to its respective sprocket wheel I35, rotation of the screws will be effected. The arrangement of the sprocket and other gearing is such as to effect a very slow rotation of the screws I35 in a clockwise direction and this in turn will cause the tongues or plates I30 to ride upwardly in the screw tracks. Thus, each of the false bottoms I25 is raised very slowly during the operation of the machine to compensate for the removal of the sheets from the stock boxes.

In this form of the invention, however, after each plate I30 has been raised to the top of its respective screw I32, it is necessary to shut down the machine. It is to be understood that the screws are so proportioned with respect to the depth of the stock boxes that, when the plates I30 have been raised to the top of the screw tracks ISI, the contents of the boxes will be depleted. When this has occurred and after the operation of the machine has been discontinued, each plate I30 is removed from its screw track I3I by loosening the fastening element I31 which secures the plate to its post I 28. Thereafter, the plate may be swung out of engagement with its screw track, permitting the false bottom I25 to be lowered into engagement with the main bottom I21. The plate may then be moved back into engagement with the lower end of the screw track and the fastening means I35 tightened to maintain the plate I30 in operative engagement with the track.

As stated hereinabove, the rest of the'structure shown in Figure 4 is substantially similar to that illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Therefore, this structure will not be described again except to refer to the suction arm I38, which in Figure 4 is provided with an air release valve I39. This valve covers an opening in the suction arm and is pivotally mounted thereon. The valve is provided with a handle I which is normally held in spaced relation to the arm by means of a spring MI and thereby maintains the valve in closed position. However, as the suction arm is moved away from one of the stock boxes during its function of transferring a sheet to the delivery box, the handle I4I eventually contacts with a stop element I42. This operates the valve to break the suction in the arm I38 and thus release the sheet at the proper moment. It is to be understood that the release valve I38 is merely representative of one type of suction breaking device and that any other means may be employed if desired.

It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction shown in the drawings and that the examples of the use of the device which have been given do not include all of the uses of which it is capable, and

that the phraseology employed in the specification is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

I claim:

1. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for continuously moving said box on said frame to and from a point of sheet transfer, and means for continuously raising the bottom of the box to lift the sheets as the box is moved on the supporting frame.

2. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for continuously moving said box on said frame to and from a point of sheet transfer, and means for continuously raising the bottom of the box to lift the sheets as the box is moved on the supporting frame, said means including a continuously rotating cam track carried by the supporting frame, and an element connected to the box bottom and engageable with the cam track.

3. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for moving said box on said frame to a point of sheet transfer, a cam track carried by the supporting member and having a gradually inclined portion terminating at its highest point in an abruptly declining portion, the bottom of said box being movable relative to the Walls of the box, and an element connected to the box bottom and engageable with the cam track whereby the bottom will be gradually raised and abruptly lowered during movement of the box on the supporting frame.

4. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of sheet retaining boxes mounted on said table, means for continuously rotating said table and boxes, and means associated with said first-mentioned means for continuously and gradually raising the bottoms of said boxes to lift the sheets as the table and boxes are rotated.

5. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of sheet retaining boxes mounted on said table, a plurality of cams rotatably mounted on said table, each cam being located adjacent one of said boxes and having a cam track, each box having a bottom movable relative to its walls and provided with an element engageable with one of the cam tracks and offset from the axis of its respective cam, and means for simultaneously rotating said table, boxes and cams whereby the boxes are moved to a point of sheet transfer and the box bottoms are gradually raised as the sheets are transferred.

6. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for moving said box on said frame to a point of sheet transfer, and means for raising the bottom of the box to lift the sheets as the box is moved on the supporting frame, said means including a screw rotatably carried by the supporting frame, and a post depending from the box bottom in offset relation to the axis of and engageable with the screw.

7. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of sheet retaining boxes mounted on said table, a plurality of screws rotatably mounted on said table, each screw being located adjacent one of said boxes and having a gradually inclined screw track, each box having a bottom movable relative to its walls and provided with a depending post in offset relation to the axis of and engageable with one of the screw tracks, and means for simultaneously rotating said table, boxes and screws whereby the boxes are moved to a point of sheet transfer and the box bottoms are gradually raised as the sheets are transferred.

8. In. a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a vertical shaft journalled in said frame, a table mounted on the upper end of said shaft, a plurality of sheet retaining boxes mounted on said table, a plurality of cams rotatably mounted on said table, each being located adjacent one of said boxes and provided with a cam track, each box having a bottom movable relative to its walls and provided with an element engageable with one of the cam tracks,-a tubular shaft journalled in said frame and surrounding said first shaft, a sprocket gear fixed to each cam, a sprocket gear mounted on saidhollow shaft and a sprocket chain operatively connected to all of said sprocket gears whereby rotation of said hollow shaft will simultaneously rotate said cams and actuate said box bottoms as the cable'is rotated. I

9. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of sheet retaining boxes mounted on said table, a plurality of cams rotatably mounted on said table, each being located below one of said boxes and having a substantially circular cam track, each cam track having a gradually inclined portion terminating in an abruptly declining portion, each box having a bottom movable relative to its Walls, a roller depending from each box bottom and engageable with one of the cam tracks, and means for simultaneously rotating said table, boxes and cams whereby the boxes are moved to a point of shet transfer and the box bottoms are gradually raised as the sheets are transferred.

10. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a vertical shaft journalled in said frame, a table mounted on the upper end of said shaft, a plurality of sheet retaining boxes mounted on said table, a plurality of cams rotatably mounted on said table, each being located adjacent one of said boxes and provided with a cam track, each box having a bottom movable relative to its walls and provided with an element engageable with one of the cam tracks, a tubular shaft journalled in said frame and surrounding said first shaft, and gearing connecting said cams with said hollow shaft whereby rotation of said shaft will simultaneously rotate said cams and actuate said box bottoms as the table is rotated.

11. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a vertical shaft journalled in said frame, a table mounted on the upper end of said shaft, a plurality of sheet retaining boxes mounted on said table, a plurality of cams rotatably mounted on said table, each being located adjacent one of said boxes and provided with a cam track, each box having a bottom movable relative to its walls and provided with an element engageable with one of the cam tracks, a tubular shaft journalled in said frame and surrounding said first shaft, a sprocket gear fixed to each cam, sprocket gears, one for each cam mounted on said hollow shaft, and sprocket chains connecting each set of gears whereby rotation of said hollow shaft will simultaneously rotate said cams and actuate said box bottoms as the table is rotated.

12. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for moving said box on said frame to a point of sheet transfer, and means for raising the bottom of the box to lift the sheets as the box is moved on the supporting frame, said means including a cam rotatably carried by the supporting frame and having an exteriorly located cam track, and an element connected to the box bottom and having a roller engageable with the cam track.

13. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for moving said box on said frame to a point of sheet transfer, and means for raising the bottom of the box to lift the sheets as the box is moved on the supporting frame, said means including a cam rotatably carried by the supporting frame and having an exteriorly located cam track, and a post depending from the box bottom and offset from the axis of the cam, said post having a lower laterally extending portion engageable with the came track.

14. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for moving said box on said frame to a point of sheet transfer, and means for raising the bottom of the box to lift the sheets as the box is moved on the: supporting frame, said means including a cylindrical member rotatably carried by the supporting frame and having a gradually inclined external screw track, and an element connected to the box bottom in offset relation to the axis of said cylindrical member and having a laterally extending portion engageable with the screw track.

15. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for moving said box on said frame to a point of sheet transfer, and means for raising the bottom of the box to lift the sheets as the box is moved on the supporting frame, said means including a cylindrical member rotatably carried by the supporting frame and having a gradually inclined external screw track, a post depending from the box bottom and offset from the axis of the cylindrical member, and a tongue detachably secured to the lower end of the post and engageable with the screw track.

16. In a sheet gathering machine, a supporting frame, a sheet retaining box movably carried by said frame, means for moving said box on said frame to a point of sheet transfer, and means for raising the bottom of the box to lift the sheets as the box is moved on the supporting frame, said means including a cam rotatably carried by the supporting frame and having an exteriorly located cam track, an element connected to the box bottom in offset relation to the axis of the cam, and a gear fixed to rotate with the cam and associated with the box moving means whereby the cam is rotated to raise the box bottom as the box is moved to the point of sheet transfer.

EDWARD C. REEDER. 

